The United States spent an estimated $33.4 billion on military operations during its conflict with Iran between February 28 and June 29, according to a new Pentagon watchdog report. The assessment offers the first detailed look at the financial and military costs of Operation Epic Fury, the campaign launched by the US and Israel against Iran.
Most of the Money Went on Weapons
The report shows that the largest share of spending, $22.3 billion, was used for weapons and ammunition. Another $7.4 billion covered operational and logistical expenses linked to the war.
In addition, the US military lost equipment worth an estimated $3.7 billion, pushing the overall cost of the conflict even higher.
Heavy Fighting Exposed Ammunition Shortages
The massive use of missiles, bombs and other munitions created what the watchdog described as “strategic inventory shortfalls” within US stockpiles.
Officials told investigators that the war exposed weaknesses in America’s defence manufacturing sector, particularly its ability to quickly replace ammunition consumed during major conflicts.
To address the issue, the Pentagon is speeding up procurement, expanding production capacity and building larger stockpiles of critical materials and weapons for future emergencies.
Fighter Jets, Drones and Helicopters Lost
The conflict also resulted in significant military losses. According to the report, one F-35A stealth fighter was damaged by enemy fire, marking the first known combat damage to the advanced aircraft, four F-15E fighter jets were lost, one A-10 attack aircraft was lost, seven KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft were damaged or destroyed, seven helicopters were lost besides more than 30 drones were destroyed.
Analysts note that replacing such equipment is expensive and often takes years because of long production timelines.
US Bases and Diplomatic Missions Hit
Iranian strikes also caused extensive damage to US facilities across the Middle East. Hundreds of buildings and structures at American military bases in the Gulf region were reportedly damaged or destroyed. US diplomatic facilities in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also suffered damage.
The cost of damage to diplomatic facilities alone has been estimated at $184 million, although the report does not include the full cost of repairing military infrastructure.
Questions Over America’s Readiness
The findings have renewed concerns about whether the US defence industry can quickly replenish critical weapons during a prolonged conflict.
While President Donald Trump has repeatedly downplayed concerns about military stockpiles, the watchdog report suggests the war placed significant pressure on US ammunition reserves and exposed vulnerabilities in production capacity.
The Bottom Line
The Iran conflict has left the United States with a $33.4 billion price tag, depleted ammunition stocks and billions of dollars in damaged or destroyed military equipment. The report highlights not only the financial burden of modern warfare but also the challenge of rapidly rebuilding military inventories after a large-scale conflict.
